new england outdoor center neoc - day tours

Our guide, Danielle, was wonderful. She had a hard time believing that she had a moose nut on board and was even more disappointed than we were that we couldn't find one...wrong time of the year (mid-October). Still, I am looking forward to going back because the ride on Millinocket Lake was spectacular...eagles and loons were easy to find. The setting is breathtaking with Mt. Katahdin right there in front of you! We laughed all the way back and surprised her when we told her we didn't want to stop for photos of the eagles...we wanted to save daylight for an evening bog/pond photo hunt. Just the fact that it was possible to find a moose made the trip worth the time. We'll definitely go again (besides, we have a free trip now!).

There are many companies to chose from to raft with in this area. Honestly, we selected this one because it was the only company rafting the river during the week after Labor Day. Fortunately we were not disappointed. The guides were great, the lunch (fresh grilled steak, chicken or fish) was exceptional. We were also given the opportunity to do some very unique rafting and even was able to ride a real rapid water slide. Great company to choose for your rafting experience in this area.

We took the Penobscot River Tour in August of 2014 and would absolutely recommend it for those who want a nice day of adventure.The NEOC guides took very good care of our group. We put in on the river and spent (what I thought at the time) was too much time learning how to paddle the raft. I've rafted and canoed before and am an Eagle Scout, what do I need this for? It was a bit like taking orders from a drill sergeant: "All ahead 1." "All ahead 2!!" "Right ahead, left back!!" "HOLD ON!!!" OK, enough already.After 10-15 minutes of this we started down the river and then learned why they made us do this - so that everyone on the raft works together and what that does is make everyone on the raft have a much better day.In the AM we did a few easier rapids (maybe one class 4? I forget) and then after a hearty lunch on the river they took us up to the Ripogenus hydro plant and we put in there. Paddling past the power station was a ton of fun - you could feel the power of the river for sure! Then immediately you are in Exterminator rapids, Big Heater, and then into the class 5 Cribworks. Our raft paddlers (from a few separate families who just met that day) did what we were told and we had a ton of fun and nobody went swimming.They key to a good trip on the river, as explained by our guide: "It's not hocus-pocus, it's focus." Listen to your guide and you will have a great day.

We took the Moose Tour and very much enjoyed our boat trip on Lake Millinocket. Our guide had grown up on the Lake and learned every nook and cranny from her grandfather. It was relaxing, informative and fun. We did see moose, but they were really in the distance. She also took us in the van so we could see more and indeed we did. The bugs were horrendous, so come prepared if you go in the van. But I do want to say if you are in this for a great moose photo, forget it. You are way to far away, even with a high powered lens. I realize you can't predict nature and wild animals and getting too close would be nuts, but I think there are tours where you may get better shots. So depends on what you want. This company was easy to deal with, friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. She told us the great moose shots you see are usually taken by locals who go out in canoes and kayaks and really are familiar with the wildlife,and their routines.

Had a wonderful putting doing a moose safari with Jessica, our guide, and the cooperative Moose. Have fantastic photos of Moose in the wild as well as a good deal of knowledge and history provided by our guide. Saw some great scenery and had a fantastic putting. A plus for wildlife seekers.

This was my second overnight meeting, staying in the new cabins and dining at "the River Drivers". When we arrived, we were remembered from our prior stay. The staff was very helpful, the cottages spotless, the River Drivers food excellent, and a clear view of Katahdin fantastic. We hadn't any reason to leave except for the morning walk until it was time to return home.I recommend trying every desert and getting out on the lake!

The whole area is picture postcard lovely. There are lots of things to do in this area with out a guide but many of the roads are private and unmarked. It's worth It to have a guide if you are unfamiliar with the area. The price is high for my tastes.

This place is perfect for any kind of winter sports. One and a half hour away from Bangor, we came to the NEOC resort for snowmobiling. Rental for the snowmobile is very reasonable. The fees included a helmet and a guide. The afternoon we went, the temperature was freezing so we had to rent warmer boots, gloves and an overall they call a bib. We were a group of five and this was our first time to ride the snowmobile. They let us see an insturctional video before letting us out. Out guide Andy was very good and considerate. He was always solicitous of our comfort. We made several stop overs and took our pictures. The place is picturesque. We had a fun day, thanks to Andy. We planned to come back in summer.

New Englanders can be pretty hardy but I never new just how hardy I was until I went snowmobiling in Maine in the middle of the winter! We were a group of 6 that arrived late on a Friday morning. The weather was sunny, clear and frigid, with temperatures in the single digits. After checking into our modern, comfortable, clean and warm guest cottage (sleeps 13) at Twin Pines - the lodging half of the New England Outdoor Center situated on a large and beautiful lake with a spectacular view of Mt. Katahdin. We ate a quick lunch and then bundled up in every layer we brought with us to hit the trails. We all rented snowmobiles for NEOC. The machines were like new or new this season with very little mileage and were in excellent condition. If we needed any gear (helmets, boots, snow suits) it was provided. We received a very quick but thorough briefing on how to run a snowmobile - perfect review for me (a beginner) but not too much for experienced riders in our group. We each took a copy of the regional trail map and headed out. Trails are all extremely well groomed and very well marked. There were wide open places (where some of us went pretty fast) and others where we were traveling through dense forest and by frozen lakes. The views were spectacular and the skies remained clear. The temperatures never got above 10 and were about 0 when we returned about dinner time. Dinner that night at the River Drivers Restaurant was delicious and the service was casual and efficient. We were on the trail again Saturday morning by 9 AM and spent a day touring the area around Baxter State Park. Weather on Saturday was in the teens, and cloudy. By 11 AM it started to snow and it continued snowing steadily all afternoon. We covered nearly 200 miles of trails in the 2 days. What an incredible way to experience the beauty of Maine! We all had a tremendous time and are looking forward to making this an annual event. I heartily endorse and recommend the New England Outdoor Center, the Twin Pines Camp, The River Drivers Restaurant. I would also very much like to return during warmer weather - the location is incredibly beautiful and would be a wonderful vacation location for the family.

On a trip to Bar Harbor, my husband and I decided to go on a Moose safari. We called a couple different placers and decided on the New England Outdoor Center trip. We drove 2 hours from Bar Harbor and arrived at Twin Pines. The tour driver informed us that the wind was too strong to take the pontoon across the lake and we would travel by van to Baxter State Park to a site he knew. We loaded a van with 10 people and headed out. While on the way, it wasn't long before we saw a Moose off in the distance out for an evening meal. After a while, we arrived in Baxter State Park, unloaded the van, and hiked a short distance to a small lake where a female Moose was munching on some vegetation about 25 feet from our group. Not long after a bull Moose appeared at about a 50 foot distance. It was amazing to see these beauties so close. Our tour driver did say that we were very fortunate to see them because some nights he sees none.

We stayed at another hotel but once we arrived at the Twin Pines Outdoor Center we wished we had rented a chalet. We got our snowmobiles in the morning and spent all day doing the trails they are informative give you the maps to follow and even have places to stop and eat along the way.The restaurant was great really beautiful and rustic, we will be returning for sure

Weather did not cooperate for us to go out on pontoon for couple of trips however ended up going early morning on pontoon boat the last day of our vacation. It was BEAUTIFUL. Young tour guide was very accomodating and friendly. Made it a fun trip! No moose sighted. Trip is gauranteed to see moose, but that means you go on another day. (think there is a small fee to go again) Since this was not possible due to flight schedule, we asked for only partial refund (we felt we needed to pay for the morning boat ride on lake, but not full price) Not demanding or upset - just asking. The receptionist contacted some women upstairs ...? who more or less said no refund. We live in Midwest and would not return for years. She did not even offer to come down and talk to us....so I am thinking, "Will never return or recommend this place" However about that time a guy (I think his name was MIke) came by and receptionist checked with him. He was very friendly and understanding and knew we had tried to go on two previous trips. He was so polite and said to just pay for one ticket and asked me if that was satisfactory. I was very grateful. Because of this I left happy & pleased and we will definitly choose this resort to stay when we get to return. We ate at the River Drivers restuarant. Excellent food and service. I had lobster bisque and it was wonderful! I hope someday we can return to this area when g'kids are older. We would definitely consider staying at this resort as the cabins look wonderful & it is a great location. They offer many services for families vacationing Advice: take jacket, camera and something to drink. Talked to a couple who had been on driving tour and pontoon boat --- Said pontoon boat was much better. I think it is more scenic.

This is a fabulous company whose employees are people that really care about you. Through some unfortunate coincidences on both sides, I was late for my Moose Watching tour. I can not speak highly enough of how New England Outdoor Center responded. As soon as I told one of the employees, Dave, he jumped into action and we jumped into his pickup to try intercept the tour bus. Unfortunately we couldn't catch it, but when he let Wendy (one of the owners) know about the situation she thought of several alternatives and wound up taking me out on the lake in a canoe herself for my own privater tour. This was at 5:30 pm, the end of her work day but she was determined that I was going to leave happy. I did see my moose, and for a big city girl like me (Dallas) to see moose in their natural environment was very moving. Wendy and Dave sincerely were disappointed that I might not get to see moose, they cared about me as a person, and went far, far, far out of their ways to make me happy. They way I was treated was as wonderful as the tour itself. Baxter State Park is beautiful and the Moose Watching is worth doing under any circumstance (they offer many other services), even more so with people that really care about your experience. I cannot recommend this company highly enough.